Skilled Trades & Construction career

Wind Turbine Technician

Also called: Wind Tech · Wind Turbine Service Technician · Windsmith · Wind Energy Technician

What wind turbine technicians do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a wind turbine technician do?

Wind turbine technicians, “wind techs”, inspect, maintain and repair wind turbines, climbing towers to service mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems in the nacelle and blades. The median pay is $64,120 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6–24 months, and employment is projected to grow +29.5% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $64,120
    $30.83/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +29.5%
    2025–35, much faster than average
  • Openings per year
    1,500
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Postsecondary nondegree award
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    6–24 months
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    11,800
    Employment, 2025

What wind turbine technicians do

Wind techs keep turbines running safely and efficiently. They perform scheduled maintenance, torque and tension bolts, change filters and fluids, inspect blades, and troubleshoot electrical, hydraulic and control systems using SCADA data and diagnostic tools, often hundreds of feet above the ground.

Most wind techs complete a one- to two-year technical program and industry safety training such as Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Basic Safety Training. The occupation is among the fastest-growing in the country, though it is small and concentrated in windy regions.

Typical duties

  • Climb towers and work at heights using fall protection
  • Perform scheduled inspections and preventive maintenance
  • Troubleshoot electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems
  • Replace components such as bearings, filters and sensors
  • Torque and tension bolts to specification
  • Collect and analyze data from SCADA systems
  • Document work and follow lockout/tagout procedures

Work environment and schedule

Wind techs work at wind farms, often in rural areas, climbing towers that can exceed 300 feet. Work is in confined spaces in the nacelle and outdoors in all weather. Some work offshore. Travel is common.

Schedule: Full-time, often with overtime. Some positions involve traveling to sites for weeks at a time or rotational schedules.

A day in the life

  1. Safety briefing and weather check: wind speed limits for climbing and working in the hub.
  2. Inspect harness and climbing equipment and review the work order and SCADA fault history.
  3. Climb (or ride the service lift) to the nacelle with your partner.
  4. Lock out the turbine and perform semi-annual maintenance: torque checks, filter changes and greasing.

See a full day in the life of a wind turbine technician →

Wind Turbine Technician salary

Half of wind turbine technicians earned more than $64,120 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $49,230 for the lowest 10% to $92,460 for the top 10%.

Full wind turbine technician pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a wind turbine technician

  1. Finish high school
  2. Complete a wind technician program
  3. Earn GWO safety training
  4. Start as an entry-level tech
  5. Advance

Most wind techs complete a technical school or community college program (often one to two years) and earn safety credentials such as GWO Basic Safety Training. Some learn through employer training after electrical or military experience.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a wind turbine technician →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Working at heights and rescue
  • Electrical troubleshooting
  • Hydraulic and mechanical maintenance
  • Bolt torquing and tensioning
  • SCADA data interpretation

People skills

  • Comfort with heights
  • Teamwork
  • Problem-solving
  • Physical endurance

All wind turbine technician skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Rapid projected growth
  • Good pay for a one- to two-year program
  • Hands-on technical variety
  • Clean-energy work with travel opportunities

Cons

  • Climbing and working at extreme heights
  • Remote locations and travel
  • Physically demanding in tight spaces
  • Weather limits and seasonal schedules

Certifications and licenses

  • GWO Basic Safety Training: Global Wind Organisation modules: first aid, manual handling, fire awareness and working at heights (plus sea survival for offshore).
  • GWO Basic Technical Training: Mechanical, electrical and hydraulic modules.
  • NFPA 70E: Electrical safety and arc-flash training.
  • CPR / First Aid: Required for tower rescue readiness.

Career path

  1. Entry-Level Wind Technician: Perform maintenance with a senior tech.
  2. Wind Technician II or Lead Tech: Troubleshoot independently and lead tasks.
  3. Specialist: Blades, high voltage, controls or major component exchange.
  4. Site Manager or Field Engineer: Manage operations at a wind farm.

Learn the job before day one

Our Wind Turbine Technician training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as inspect a full-body harness before climbing and torque bolts to specification, safety and how to land your first job.

View Wind Turbine Technician trainingIs this career right for me?

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Wind Turbine Technician FAQ

How long does it take to become a wind turbine technician?

Many technical programs take about one to two years, plus GWO safety training.

Is wind turbine technician a growing career?

BLS projects 29.5% employment growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, though it is a small occupation.

Do wind techs have to climb every day?

Climbing is a core part of the job, though many modern turbines have service lifts and some tasks are done on the ground.

How much does a wind turbine technician make?

The median annual wage for wind turbine technicians was $64,120 ($30.83 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $49,230 and the highest 10% earned more than $92,460.

How long does it take to become a wind turbine technician?

Most people need about 6–24 months of training. Most wind techs complete a technical school or community college program (often one to two years) and earn safety credentials such as GWO Basic Safety Training. Some learn through employer training after electrical or military experience.

Do you need a degree to be a wind turbine technician?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.

More wind turbine technician questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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